Liberal Party of Central America

The Liberal Party was a classical liberal political party in the United States of Central America which was active from 1823 to 1840. The party had its origins in the liberal movement which was opposed to the Mexican general Vicente Filisola's annexation of Central America in 1822, and it became the dominant party in the National Constituent Assembly after Filisola handed over control of Central America to the body. The Liberals chose Manuel Jose Arce as their President, but he went on to betray them, leading to a rebellion which resulted in his overthrow in 1829. The Liberals oversaw the move of the capital from Guatemala City to San Salvador in 1831, but opposition to Francisco Morazan's rule led to a civil war with the Conservative Party from 1838 to 1840. This civil war ultimately resulted in the disintegration of the federation in 1840.